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Cross-country Skiing: Mosstrond

Ski in splendid isolation in Norway

Trip code: CXN

Customer reviews

Activity level

Activity level

You may be a total beginner or an experienced cross-country skier. Many destinations offer different level weeks or multi-grade skiing on the same week. Choose from ‘Classic’ and ‘Skate’ style holidays, or even a ski marathon race for the ultimate winter challenge. See below for more grading details.

At a glance

Your chance to

At a glance

7 nights Mosstrond Turisthytte

6 days cross-country skiing

Off-track day tours

Forest and mountain routes

Ski in splendid isolation

The shores of frozen Lake Mosvatn, on the edge of the Hardangervidda National Park, is our beautiful base for this week of isolated off track skiing. All from the doorstep of our historical accommodation. Setting out across the frozen lake, we explore the winter landscape, and have the chance to develop both confidence and skill while discovering new routes and trails every day. The skiing will be off-track, the only tracks you are likely to see will be those of elk or reindeer.

Itinerary

We prefer not to specify in advance where we will ski each day. This is to enhance the flexibility and adapt to weather and snow conditions and to some extent the ability of each group.
Six days cross-country skiing, exploring the vast and varied terrain accessible from our accommodation on Hovden Island. Starting out across the lake, the possibilities are endless, with hills and valleys offering delightful skiing both below and above the tree line.

When choosing routes, the leader's priority will be to take in a variety of scenery and to ensure that participants become better and more confident skiers as the week progresses. However, below are examples of some of the best local routes.
Today's tour takes us to the hills and valleys under Kvamsfjellet, where the undulating terrain provides for some delightful skiing. Crossing north east, about 1km, over Mosvatn to the farm of Fornes, a settlement dating back to the Middle Ages, we ski north west and up into a valley with a string of small tarns, past some huts towards Gardar. The track then takes us up a steep and narrow incline on to the hills above the lake of Store Hovstjorni. Keeping on the hills to the west, we ski to the northern end of the lake. Here with some spectacular views, looking down on to the farms and settlements spread out along the shores of Mosvatn, we take a break. Keeping to the east of Hovstjorni, under the steep cliffs of Kvamsfjellet, we then head due south into Dalstauldalen but skiing along the undulating ridges on the west side of the valley. At the lower end of Dalstauldalen we turn west and return to Hovdeoyi and the lodge via Fornes.
See more images and videos

4Day 4Tour to Laksanuten

Skiing due west from the lodge, and crossing 300 metres of lake to the mainland, this tour takes us up to our nearest top, Laksanuten, 1,353 m. Taking a small trail through the woods on Vaddodden, we continue west above the Laksai stream, then turning south, gradually climbing above the treeline to reach the col above the tarn of Tippetorn. From here we take the ridge north west with a final steep ascent to the first of the two tops on Laksanuten. Crossing to the main top takes another 15 mins. and depending on conditions, we take a break here. There are fine views over the Hardangervidda and east to the impressive mount Gausta. This is also a point where, if we are lucky, we may also see reindeer. The route off the top gives a wonderful descent into the upper Komdalen valley and from here we again make an easy climb to the highest point on Himmelsynnettane, 1,260m, under the imposing cliffs of Eggeskardnuten. The descent takes us down to the tarn, Eggetjorni and initially follows the Astaul stream before we turn north east for the final descent to Mosvatn. This is a wonderful 3km long downhill run! Crossing the 1km. of lake to the island of Mellomoyi, we return to Hovden and the lodge.See more images and videos

5Day 5Tour to Tjorndalen

This trip takes us into the high wilderness above vestre Skindalen, an area of deep gorges, vertical rock faces and classic steep sided hanging valleys. Over Hovdeoyi to the north west, we descend off the island and make a short crossing of Mosvatn. Then ascending through open woods, over marshes and rounded hills we reach an open area known as Laksabotn. This is where Vonskinai drains the Vonskingjuvet Gorge. We make tracks south into the gorge and then traverse up the ridge on its west side. Here, the scenery is quite impressive. Turning north west again, we climb in under Magnusgronutan, a steep sided mountain on our right and onwards into the valley of Tjorndalen - 'Tarn valley'. Following a string of tarns, we make tracks deeper into this steep sided valley where, provided there are suitable conditions, we take a break. Continuing north west, the valley suddenly opens out high above the Skinndalen valley and we see vertical rock faces in every direction. High above us is the Skinfjell Mountain and across the valley, the isolated Skindalen farm, where Anne lives with her four cows. We return the same way, with a long descent, this time looking directly into the gorge, down to Laksatjorn but this time reaching Hovden and the lodge via a route through the woods above Vaddodden.See more images and videos

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group guided holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You may be a total beginner or an experienced cross-country skier. Many destinations offer different level weeks or multi-grade skiing on the same week. Choose from ‘Classic’ and ‘Skate’ style holidays, or even a ski marathon race for the ultimate winter challenge. See below for more grading details.

What's included

What's included

All accommodation (see below)

All meals

Transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Cross-country skis, poles and boots

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request) GBP225

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Mosstrond Turisthytte

The Mosstrond Turisthytte was first built 140 years ago as a boarding school for the local area. It was recently taken over by a group of friends and now offers a charming base for visitors. The three main buildings, the teacher's house, the pupils' accommodation and the school itself have been improved to offer comfortable twin bunk rooms and a large lounge and kitchen area. Most rooms offer panoramic views across the lake and towards the Hardangervidda National Park. Facilities are shared.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
No visa required for British passport holders.
There are no specific health risks. Holiday style

Activity Details
Cross-country skiing or Nordic Skiing is becoming one of the most popular winter sports. Using longer, thinner and lighter skis than downhill with bindings that let you lift your heel, we explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine pistes. Cross-country skiing can be undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) or, as with this trip, off-track, allowing the group to explore the winter landscape.

Exodus offers cross-country skiing holidays to suit a wide range of technical and physical levels. This year we have improved on our old system to be more comparable to the activity levels we use on our snowshoeing, cycling, activity and trekking holidays. Skating technique requires a certain level of competence in classic cross-country skiing, so this retains the original system.The aim remains to create groups of similar ability and fitness. We believe a slightly different system is still required, due to the tuition we provide on our holidays. Our descriptions are below, however feel free to call and speak to an expert if you are unsure which grade or type of holiday will suit you best.

At Mosstrond we offer grade 3 or 4 dependent on the week.

Grade 3 (graphic) Intermediates
Equivalent Activity Level- Moderate, Level 3
A grade 3 week is ideal for those looking to push on, tackle some slightly steeper terrain and cover more ground each day. Typical groups will have a few weeks skiing behind them, be very comfortable with the basics and happy on longer day tours. There will still be tuition on these weeks, at the required level.

Grade 4 Advanced
Equivalent Activity Level Moderate Challenging, level 4
Choose this level if you can tackle ‘ups and downs’ competently, manage a controlled snowplough descent, and if you want to ski at a lively pace. You should also be able to get up swiftly and easily by yourself after a fall. The mix of track and off-track skiing varies.

Eating & drinking

Breakfast, packed lunch and evening meals are included. The food provided includes ample buffet breakfasts with tea and coffee, a packed lunch, and a 3 course dinner.
Vegetarians can be catered for, however due to the remote location, it is not possible to cater for other dietary needs such as vegans. Please check with our sales team before booking for any other special dietary requirements.
Tea, coffee and cakes are provided on your return to the lodge in the afternoon.
The Mosstrond Turisthytte does not have a license to sell alcohol. Guests are however more than welcome to consume any alcohol they bring with them on the premises. We therefore recommend guests take advantage of the Duty Free available when travelling to Norway.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

Mosstrond sits at approx. 1000m and at this height snow can lie from November to May, with fresh snowfalls at any time. Average daytime temperatures in winter range from 0 to -10degC, though they can fall as low as -30degC. At Christmas and New Year daylight hours are limited, with about 6 hours of good light plus twilight. By mid-February this has increased to about 8 hours and by mid-March there are about 12 hours of good daylight. At all times of the winter you can hope for periods of clear bright weather and in February and March it can become surprisingly warm in the sun. Equally, at all times you need to be ready for the occasional stormy day

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Being able to stay upright (most of the time) in the wonderful snow conditions. It had been two years since my last ski trip, but its like riding a bike you don't forget how but you may wobble at first.

Getting back at dusk after a long day knowing there was tea and cake waiting.

Setting off across the lake in a blizzard on the last day, re-enacting Scotts trip to the pole (without the ponies)!

What did you think of your group leader?

The three leaders on site were all very knowledgeable about the area and able to adapt the group makeup and routes taken to suit the groups capabilities and the weather conditions.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Make sure you have a basic grasp of cross country skiing before you go, tutition is limited. But most slopes are wide, gentle and when there is 2 metres of soft new snow, very forgiving.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

You know it is not going to be your ordinary ski holiday when you step out of your minibus in the dark, sit down on a piece of foam rubber on a trailer on the back of the skidoo and are whisked into nothingness at a temperature of around minus fifteen. Come morning, after sleep in a comfortable bunk, nothingness reveals itself as frozen lake surrounded by mountains that look like cumulous clouds, everything white apart from wavering charcoal strokes of birch trees. And it's all yours to ski - a real adventure.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The summit of Falcon's Ridge. A challenging ski up and an eye-watering ski down. Also the daily return to tea and cake. We'd ski home across the lake to 'our' island speculating what sort of cake today.

What did you think of your group leader?

Phillip is great, a ski enthusiast to his fingertips who knows the area practically rock by rock and tree by tree.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You do need to be fit. Six hours a day on ski, going up or down most of the time. It is more demanding than downhill.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Take a couple of books and a bottle of Scotch. You may not finish the books but (with a little help from your friends) you will probably finish the Scotch.

Having lived abroad as a child, Tom has always been interested in travelling, visiting new places and trying new sports and activities. Each trip and each destination has something to offer, be it the scenery, culture, the activity itself or all of these combined. The travel industry has been a great place to indulge his passion and he counts himself lucky enough to have gone on some fantastic trips in a personal and professional capacity. Though now settled in sunny suburbia his enthusiasm for discovery is as strong as ever.

Questions about your trip

XC skiing in Norway articles

Staff member Tom Wilkinson has written about Norway's winter activities here and you can also read his article here for a personal viewpoint of the region.

Can I make my own way to the start point of this winter trip?

It is very difficult to make your own way and we strongly recommend that you make arrangements to meet the Exodus group transfer. If you are unsure, or would like to arrange to be added to this, please contact Exodus for more information.

Rachel George - Customer Operations

Do I need previous experience of cross country skiing?

No, it's not essential, although any previous experience will be a bonus! There are different weeks specially graded for beginners, so make sure you pick the correct week to begin with. It should specify in the brochure and on the website but if you're not sure, just contact Exodus. If there are 2 different grades happening in the same week, you can sometimes switch to a higher grade towards the end of the week if you feel you have gained sufficient experience.

Danuta Janik - Customer Operations

What kind of luggage should I take?

There's really no restiction, whatever feels comfortable for you. Whether that's a wheelie case or a rucksack, you won't be carrying it too far so don't worry!

Amanda Ceraolo - Product Manager

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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